Mop



Patented Apr. 4, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to mops generally, and more specifically to string or cord mops, and has for its objects the provision of an improved mop oi the above type that is more eliicient for cleaning, and more sanitary and durable than heretofore, and in which mop the cords or string will not become tangled, nor will they separate from each other to cause streaking of the surface being cleaned by the mop. Other objects and advantages will appear in the specification and claims annexed hereto.

Fig. l is a plan View of my mop.

Fig. 2 is an edgewise elevational View of the mop hanging from the head of a mop handle.

in detail, my mop comprises a plurality of cords or strings I of substantially equal lengths and disposed side by side in a layer of a number of thicknesses to form ra sort of band or strip made up of said cords.

Centrally between the ends of the mopl is a tape 2, extending transversely across the mop and stitched to the cords to securely hold the cords against movement of the cords longitudinally or laterally relatively at said point. The tape 2 restricts the width of the mop at said point io accommodate the mop at the tape to a conventional clamping head 3 (Fig. 2) of an ordinary mop, the clamping bar 4 of the head extending over and engaging along the tape 2 at said point, and the connections between the ends of the bar and that portion of the mop head secured to handle 5 extending across the side edges of the mop at the restricted central point between the ends of the latter.

The opposite end portions of the mop are generally similar in width and thickness, and tapes 6 extending transversely of the mop are stitched to said end portions at equally spaced points from the free ends of the mop, said tapes respectively extending across opposite sides of the mop at said point and across the opposite edges of the mop.

Also secured across opposite end portions of said mop at points about midway between tapes E and central tape 2 are tapes 'l which are similarly stitched to the cords. The widths of said opposite end portions are substantially equal and the side edges thereof substantially parallel, the distance between said side edges being approximately double the width of the mop at the tape 2, although various mops may have variations in size to accommodate particular needs.

The tapes 6, 'I as Well as tape 2, are preferably of washable material, so the mops may be readily laundered when removed from the mop stick,

and the spacing between the several tapes is preferably about equal although I prefer that the distance between tapes 6 and the free ends of the mop be less than the distance between tapes 6, 'l on either end portion of the mop for a mop of the proportional size shown in the drawing.

Fig. 2 clearly shows the effect of the tapes 2, 6, 'l is to slightly restrict the thickness of the mop where these tapes are positioned, thus the lengths of string between the tapes will be the portions most effectively engaging the surface to be cleaned.

Heretofore, mops have been made using cords or string, with only a center tape, corresponding to tape 2, and in such mops the cords outwardly of said tape will become badly tangled both when being used and during washing of the mops. Also the strings in such mops were free to separate, thus leaving streaks on the floor or other surface, or the strings at the edges of the mop would fly outwardly during manipulation of the mop to likewise cause streaking of portions already cleaned.

With my mop, as above described, it is manifest that the mop cords are under absolute control and there is no tangling of the cords, and yet the benets of the loose lengths' of string between the tapes are maintained, and one of the principal advantages of my mop is the fact that it can readily be removed from the mop stick for laundering, which is not possible where the cords become tangled in use.

The cords or string of the mop are of relatively soft, brous material, such as cotton, and there is no securement between the cords, except along the transverse lines where the tapes are stitched to the cords. This permits movement of the cords between the tapes to more efficiently clean the oor or other surface, while limiting such movement by the tapes.

Having described my invention, I claim:

- l. A mop comprising a plurality of individual, loose cords of substantially equal lengths terminating at their opposite ends free from each other, said cords being arranged generally parallel to form an elongated band of cords extending in direction longitudinally of said cords, separate flexible means extending along lines transversely of and across opposite end portions of the band and disposed relatively closer to the opposite ends of the band than to the center thereof but spaced from said opposite ends, said means securing said cords against lateral movement relatively, said individual cords being free of securement to each other outwardly of said means in directions toward the opposite free ends of the cords and a strip of exible fabric material extending transversely of the band centrally between opposite ends thereof securing said cords together at said central point, and said strip being arranged and adapted to be engaged by the mop clamping head of a mop handle.

2. A mop comprising a plurality of loose cords of substantially equal lengths arranged generally parallel to form an elongated band of cords extending in direction longitudinally of the cords, separate flexible means spaced from but relatively closer to opposite ends of the band than to the center of the band, said means extending transversely thereacross securing said cords against longitudinal and lateral displacement at said means, similar means to the aforesaid means extending transversely of the band at points about midway between said first mentioned means and a point centrally between the ends of the band and securing said cords against movement of the cords longitudinally and laterally relatively.

3. A mop comprising a plurality of loose cords of similar lengths terminating at their opposite ends free of each other and arranged generally parallel to each other and a fabric strip disposed, centrally between opposite outer free ends of the cords and transversely of their lengths firmly securing said cords together at said point and providing a seat arranged and adapted to be engaged by the mop attaching head of a mop handle for free swinging of the cords extending oppositely away from said strip when said strip is so engaged by such head, flexible means disposed along lines extending transversely of said cords firmly securing said cords together against lateral movement relatively at said lines, the said exible -means being spaced from the free ends of the cords nearest thereto and from a central point midway between the opposite ends of the mop a distance not less than substantially one third of the distance between said end and said central point.

CORINTHIA PATTEE. 

